15th Inuit Circumpolar Council General Assembly Officially Opens in Iqaluit

July 22, 2026—Iqaluit, Canada—Inuit delegates from across Inuit Nunaat gathered today in Iqaluit, Nunavut, for the official opening of the 15th Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) General Assembly, marking the beginning of four days of dialogue and discussions that will shape the organization’s priorities until 2030. The Assembly’s theme is Inuit Tapiriit Nunarjuarmi. Hosting the General Assembly in Iqaluit marks a historic milestone, as it is the first time the city has hosted the gathering since 1983. Canadian Inuit are excited to welcome relatives from across Inuit Nunaat to this part of their shared homelands.

Held every four years, the ICC General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the organization, setting the path for the next four years. The General Assembly provides an opportunity for sharing information, discussing common concerns, debating issues, and strengthening the bonds between all Inuit.

This year’s Assembly has brought together 66 delegates representing Inuit in Canada, Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland), Alaska, and Chukotka, along with hundreds of observers, partners, and special guests.

The Assembly opened with a traditional qulliq lighting and drum dancing ceremony by Tukummeq Qaavigaq and HH Suersaq Poulsen followed by an opening invocation by the Bishop of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) Paneeraq S. Munk. ICC Chair Sara Olsvig called the Assembly to order and welcomed delegates.

“It is with deep gratitude to our hosts and the warmest feelings, that I called to order the 15th ICC General Assembly. Eight years have passed since we met in person. Our General Assemblies hold utmost significance in gathering Inuit and setting the path for the next leadership. As the 2022 to 2026 term comes to an end, we look back on four years in which Inuit have encountered many obstacles that could have stifled our unity and willingness to work together across Inuit Nunaat. Yet ICC and Inuit have demonstrated perseverance. We have continued to insist on our unity, continued to nourish our connections and work, and upheld the promise made when ICC was established”, says ICC Chair Sara Olsvig.

Host greetings were delivered by Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated President Gloria A. Uluqsi and Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa, who both recognized the significance of welcoming Inuit from across the Circumpolar world to Iqaluit. Delegates also received a recorded patron’s address from the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada, along with remarks by Inuit leaders representing Canada, Kalaallit Nunaat, Alaska, and Chukotka.

The opening plenary also included a tribute honouring the life and legacy of longtime Alaskan Inuit leader Jimmy Stotts, recognizing his significant contributions to ICC’s work and advancing Inuit rights.

Sara Olsvig presented her Chair’s Report, highlighting the work and accomplishments of the ICC over the past four years. Delegates also received country reports from each of ICC’s four offices, providing further details of the work and accomplishments since the 14th General Assembly held in a hybrid format in 2022.

“In a changing world and at a time that can hardly be compared to any other, ICC has been influential as a unifying voice. Inuit cooperation feels more important than ever, and, as Inuit, we have stood firm on to our priorities and advanced our policies. By doing so, we have exercised our right to participate and take part in decision-making on the global stage as one people: the Inuit,” says ICC Chair Sara Olsvig.

The day also featured presentations from youth delegates representing all four regions, underscoring the importance of youth leadership and intergenerational collaboration in shaping the future of Inuit self-determination and circumpolar cooperation.

The General Assembly continues through July 25 with dialogue and discussions on a number of issues important to Inuit, consideration of priorities, elections for ICC’s incoming Chair and Executive Council, ending with the signing of a Declaration which will guide the next four years of work. At the end of the Assembly, the Chairship of the Inuit Circumpolar Council will transition from Kalaallit Nunaat to Canada.

The general assembly will be streamed and available to watch in English, Kalaallisut, Inuktitut, Inupiaq, Northwest Inupiaq, Central Yup’ik, Russian;

You can watch along here: https://encoreglobal.zoom.us/j/93716388201?pwd=B7248rKHub8WrDTUTmmV7y1U6bXR0E.1

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ICC is an international Indigenous Peoples’ Organization, founded in 1977 to strengthen unity among Inuit of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Chukotka. ICC promotes Inuit rights and interests at the international level, develops and encourages long term policies that safeguard the Arctic environment, and seeks full and effective participation and meaningful engagement in the political, economic, and social development of the Arctic region.

ICC holds Consultative Status II at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is a co-founder and Permanent Participant at the Arctic Council, an Observer at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and holds Provisional Consultative Status at the International Maritime Organization alongside other advisory and consultative roles across numerous international fora.